Otsego County was awarded $114,675 in state grants to pay for snowmobile trail maintenance and signs last week.

The money allotted to the county this year is almost three times the amount that was granted last year.

Otsego County Planning Department Director Diane Carlton said the county had predicted only about $42,000 in winter recreational monies this year. However, she said, she is happy with the large increase. Last year, the same grant allotted the county $39,000.

"This is great news," Carlton said. "Snowmobiling clubs are going to be very happy. In the past, they have not had the money they needed."

Carlton said the increase in funding is beneficial also because the number of snowmobiling clubs in the county is beginning to increase.

Carlton said the money will now be distributed among the six snowmobile clubs in the county. She said the clubs who use the trails also perform the maintenance on those trails. The money will go towards that maintenance, as well as the signage on those trails.

"We're more or less a conduit because the money and signs have to go to a government agency first," said Carlton.

This year's grant, amounting to $5.8 million statewide, is a large increase from last year's $1million grant, said New York State Parks and Recreation and Historic Preservation Spokesperson, Cathy Jimenez.

Jimenez said the jump in funding is partially due to the fact that New York State Governor George Pataki increased the registration fee for snowmobiles last year from $25 to $45.

The state funds include $4.9 million in direct municipal grants, $150,000 for law enforcement and $795,000 to secure insurance coverage for the snowmobile organizations whose members provide regular maintenance on the 10,175-mile State-designated trail system.

Under the New York State Snowmobile Law Enforcement Reimbursement Program, 24 counties, towns and villages will share approximately $150,000 to reimburse 50 percent of their related enforcement costs from last winter. The snowmobile law enforcement state aid program provides municipalities with funding for the purpose of patrolling snowmobile trails and enforcing state snowmobile laws.

The State trail grant monies also fund a $795,000 blanket insurance policy to provide insurance coverage for snowmobile clubs who maintain the trails. Two years ago coverage was jeopardized and trails were temporarily closed when individual insurance policies for trail groups were cancelled or not renewed. Under the terms of an agreement reached last year, NYSSA will secure and administer the blanket policy for clubs.

State Parks administers the program with trail grant recipients receiving 70 percent of the grant immediately and the remaining 30 percent in the spring.

"The Empire State offers exceptional winter recreation and some of the best snowmobiling in the country," said Governor Pataki. "I'm proud that these grants will help strengthen our comprehensive trail system, making it safer and more enjoyable for snowmobile enthusiasts to experience the best of New York's picturesque winter landscapes."

Pataki said "these grants will help secure needed insurance coverage for local snowmobile clubs and improve trail designs that will safeguard riders while better protecting our environment and creating new jobs and winter tourism opportunities in local communities."

"Snowmobiling is a significant factor in local tourist economies in my district, particularly the Adirondacks," Senator James Seward said. "We have worked to make snowmobiling safer because more people than ever are enjoying rides on our state's trail system."

Snowmobiling is a highly popular winter recreational activity in New York. The State ranks fourth in the nation in total snowmobile registrations, with nearly 170,000, and is among the leading states in state-sponsored trail mileage.

State Parks publishes the New York State Snowmobile Corridor Trails Map 2004-2006 which highlights the more than 10,000 miles of state designated trails. In addition to general information about snowmobiling around the state, the trail map includes local and regional snowmobile trail contacts, important safety features, registration requirements and camping opportunities at select winterized state park facilities. The map and other snowmobiling information are available through Senator Seward's office.